A smart aleck is defined as an obnoxiously conceited and self-assertive person with pretensions to smartness or cleverness. In common parlance, a smart aleck is referred to as a know-it-all.
A practitioner is one who practices a profession. For instance, I’m a professional psychotherapist who uses Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) as my main psychotherapeutic modality. As such, I’m an REBT practitioner.
In regard to a smart aleck practitioner of REBT, page 230 of The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion advises against being a know-it-all who shows clients how “expert” one is in REBT. Such behavior is said to be a “turn-off” in therapy and in life, as well. Truly, I’m no expert.
Additionally, page 231 encourages REBT practitioners to keep ego out of one’s practice of REBT by evaluating what one does, but not oneself for doing it. I find both of these recommendations worth considering.
In regard to being a smart aleck practitioner, I was warned of this effect in both of the graduate study programs I attended. It isn’t uncommon for a psychotherapist to sit back and think, “Wow, I’m brilliant,” or, “What I just said to this client was extraordinary!” Honestly, I’m ordinary.
When convincing oneself that the work being done in a session is phenomenal, because of the practitioner and not in relation to other factors (e.g., REBT theory), it’s easy to forget that one of the key components of psychotherapeutic success is the therapeutic alliance.
I’m not the product being sold to clients, REBT is. The customer to whom I’m selling the product, the client, is the focus of a session while I am not. Thus, the seller and the consumer together are necessary for favorable outcomes, not merely the therapist who offers the product.
In regard to ego, I continually remind myself that what I do as an REBT practitioner is important when considering my interests and goals as a psychotherapist. However, clients maintain their own interests and goals, as well. Genuinely, it’s not all about me.
Thus, I’m not as important as what is being done when serving clients. After all, as I work solely with individuals, there are two people involved in the process of change. One’s own ego may attend a session, though it isn’t given an opportunity to maximize time during the appointment.
In any case, a smart aleck practitioner is merely a fallible human being. Therefore, if I inadvertently present myself as an obnoxious know-it-all or one whose ego is a bit too expansive, I use unconditional self-acceptance to keep from self-disturbing about the matter.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Dryden, W. and Neenan, M. (2003). The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion. Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-rebt-therapists-pocket-companion-d185164652.html
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2024, May 11). Fallible human being. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fallible-human-being
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2024, January 2). Interests and goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/interests-and-goals
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2023, September 15). Psychotherapeutic modalities. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapeutic-modalities
Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance
Hollings, D. (2024, January 11). Therapeutic alliance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/therapeutic-alliance
Hollings, D. (2023, March 1). Unconditional self-acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-self-acceptance
Hollings, D. (2022, August 8). Was Freud right? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/was-freud-right
Wayhomestudio. (n.d.). Indoor shot of displeased man purses lips, looks with dissatisfaction, makes angry grimace, wears optical glasses, elegant shirt, has problems at work, isolated on yellow wall. Face expressions [Image]. Freepik. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/indoor-shot-displeased-man-purses-lips-looks-with-dissatisfaction-makes-angry-grimace-wears-optical-glasses-elegant-shirt-has-problems-work-isolated-yellow-wall-face-expressions_13580041.htm#fromView=search&page=2&position=47&uuid=75b59654-5f21-408b-b75f-9aaebd56e8bf
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